Windows Startup Settings

(including safe mode)

With the Windows Startup Settings screen (formerly advanced boot options) you can start Windows in
different advanced troubleshooting modes so you can find and fix problems on your PC. In previous
versions of Windows, you could get to this screen by pressing F8 before Windows started
up. Windows 8 PCs start up quickly so there's not enough time to press F8.
There are two ways to get to the Windows Startup Settings screen in Windows 8 :
If you're not signed in to Windows, tap or click the power icon from the sign-in screen,
hold Shift, and then tap or clickRestart
Or, if you're already signed in:
1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse
pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
2. Under PC settings, tap or click General.
3. Under Advanced startup, tap or click Restart now.
4. On the Choose an option screen, tap or click Troubleshoot.
5. Tap or click Startup Settings.
6. Tap or click Restart.
7. On the Startup Settings screen, choose the startup setting you want.
8. Sign in to your PC with a user account that has administrator rights.
Some options, such as safe mode, start Windows in a limited state where only essential programs are
started. Other options start Windows with advanced features (typically used by system admins and IT
professionals). For more info, go to theMicrosoft website for IT professionals.
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

Based on your issue the description, it appears that you are unable to open the files stored on flash drive, it shows a
shortcut (*.lnk file) for the content. Not to worry, we will certainly help you.
Lets follow these methods and check if it fixes the issue.
Method 1:
Step 1: Lets start your computer in safe mode and check if the issue persists.
Refer this link to start the computer in safe mode.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

If it works fine in safe mode, go to step 2.
Step 2: Perform clean boot.
Clean boot will help us identify if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.
To do this, follow steps from this link:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
NOTE: After checking the functionality in clean boot, follow the suggestions under How to reset the computer to start
as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot.

Method 2: Perform a full scan using Microsoft Safety Scanner.

Refer to this link:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a
potential for data loss.

Method 3: Perform sfc scan and check.
a. Type cmd on the Start screen.
b. Right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
c. Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
Hope this helps. If the issue persists or if you have any Windows related queries please get back to us. We are happy
to help you.


Your next steps*
Did this reply answer your question? Then let the community know!
[Mark this reply as your answer]

Was this reply helpful? Give the author some kudos!
[Vote as helpful]

Want to unsubscribe from this thread?
. Click here to go to the thread
. In your original question, click "Edit"
. In the edit window, uncheck "Notify me when someone responds to this question"


* You'll have to enter your password first, but when you get to the thread, you'll see your action has been
automatically recorded.



What is a "clean boot"?
To help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows Vista, Windows 7, or
Windows 8 by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a
"clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.

This article describes how to troubleshoot problems in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 by
performing a clean boot. This article also describes how to start the Windows Installer service and how to
reset the computer so that it starts as usual.

Note When you perform a clean boot, you may temporarily lose some functionality. When you start the
computer as usual, the functionality returns. However, you may receive the original error message. Or, you
may experience the original behavior.
Back to the top | Give Feedback
How to perform a clean boot
This information is not intended to troubleshoot specific problems. Therefore, before you follow these
steps, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for information about your problem. When you search, use
the text of the error message or a description of the problem. To search the Knowledge Base, go to the
following Microsoft website:
Microsoft Support

Note If the computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from following
these steps. We strongly recommend that you do not use the System Configuration utility to change the
advanced boot options on the computer unless a Microsoft support engineer directs you to do this. Doing
this may make the computer unusable.
Windows 8

a. On the Start screen, type msconfig, and then press Enter.
b. On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click to select the Hide all
Microsoft servicescheck box, and then tap or click Disable all.
c. On the Startup tab, tap or click Open Task Manager, right-click (or, on a touch device tap and
hold) and then disable each Startup item, and then close Task Manager.
d. On the System Configuration screen, tap or click Apply/OK, and then restart the computer.

Windows Vista and Windows 7

a. Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.
b. Click Start

, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press Enter to start the System
Configuration utility.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, you should type the
password or provide confirmation.


c. On the General tab, click the Selective startup option, and then click to clear the Load
startup items check box. (TheUse Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable.)


d. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then
click Disable all.



Note This step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and
Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may
permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility
together with existing restore points.
e. Click OK, and then click Restart.
Video: How to do a clean boot in Windows

uuid=8c884a98-6334-4d34-82ae-acdfe8959440VideoUrl=http://aka.ms/o1h3lc


Back to the top | Give Feedback
More information
How to determine what is causing the problem by clean boot

Windows Vista and Windows 7
a. Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.
b. Click Start

, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press Enter to start the System
Configuration utility.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, you should type the
password or provide confirmation.


c. Click the Services tab, and then click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box.
d. Click to select half of the check boxes in the Service list.
e. Click OK, and then click Restart.
f. After the computer finishes restarting, determine whether the problem still occurs.
o If the problem still occurs, repeat steps 2a through 2e, but clear half of the checked boxes in
the Service list that you originally selected.
o If the problem does not occur, repeat steps 2a through 2e, selecting only half of the
remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have
selected all the check boxes.
o If you still experience the problem after only one service is selected in the Service list, this
means that the selected service causes the problem. Go to step 2j. If no service causes this
problem, go to step 2g.
g. step2gPerform a clean boot by repeating steps 2a and 2b.
h. Click the Startup tab, and then click to select half of the check boxes in the Startup Item list.

i. Click OK, and then click Restart.
o If the problem still occurs, repeat steps 2g and 2h, but clear half of the checked boxes in
the Startup Item list that you originally selected.
o If the problem does not occur, repeat steps 2g and 2h, selecting only half of the remaining
check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have
selected all the check boxes.
o If you still experience the problem after only one Startup Item is selected in the Startup
Item list, this means that theselected Startup Item causes theproblem. Go to Step 2j. If no
Startup Item causes this problem, a Microsoft service probably causes the problem.To
determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat steps 2a through 2f
without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in either step.
j. step2jAfter you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact
the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the
System Configuration utility, and then click to clear the check box for the problem item.
Windows 8
a. Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.
b. On the Start screen, type msconfig, and then press Enter.
c. Tap or click the Services tab, and then tap or click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check
box.
d. Tap or click to select half of the check boxes in the Service list.
e. Tap or click OK, and then tap or click Restart.
f. After the computer finishes restarting, determine whether the problem still occurs.
o If the problem still occurs, repeat steps 2a through 2e, but clear half of the check boxes in
the Service list that you originally selected.
o If the problem does not occur, repeat steps 2a through 2e, selecting only half of the
remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have
selected all the check boxes.
o If you still experience the problem when only one service is selected in the Service list, this
means that the selected service causes the problem. and you should go to step 2j. If no
service causes the problem, go to step 2g.
g. step2gPerform a clean boot. To do this repeat steps 2a and 2b in this section.
h. Tap or click the Startup tab, and then tap or click to select half of the check boxes in the Startup
Item list.
i. Click OK, and then click Restart.
o If the problem still occurs, repeat steps 2g and 2h, but clear half of the checked boxes in
the Startup Item list that you originally selected.
o If the problem does not occur, repeat steps 2g and 2h, selecting only half of the remaining
check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have
selected all the check boxes.
o If you still experience the problem after only one Startup Item is selected in the Startup
Item list, this means that the selected Startup Item causes the problem. You should step 2j.
If no Startup Item causes this problem, a Microsoft service probably causes the problem. To
determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat 1-6 in Step 2
without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in either step.
j. step2jAfter you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the
program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System
Configuration utility, and then tap or click to clear the check box for the problem item.

How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with
clean boot

After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
a. Click Start

, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press Enter.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, you should type the
password or clickContinue.
b. On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.
c. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.
Windows 8
a. On the Start screen, type msconfig, and then press Enter.
b. On the General tab, tap or click the Normal Startup option.
c. Tap or click the Services tab and clear the check box beside Hide all Microsoft services, and
then tap or click Enable all.
d. Next, tap or click the Startup tab, and then tap or click Open Task Manager.
e. In task manager, enable all of your startup programs, and then tap or click OK.
f. When you are prompted to restart the computer, tap or click Restart.


Additional resources

How to start the Windows Installer service when system services are not loaded
If you run a Setup program without starting the Windows Installer service, you may receive the following
error message:
The Windows Installer service could not be accessed. Contact your support personnel to verify that the
windows Installer service is properly registered.
The Windows Installer service does not start if you clear the Load system services check box in the
System Configuration utility. To use the Windows Installer service when system services are not loaded,
you must start the service manually. To do this, follow these steps.
Windows Vista or Windows 7
1. Click Start

, right-click Computer, and then click Manage.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or
provide confirmation.
2. In the console tree, click Services and Applications, and then click Services.
3. In the details pane, right-click Windows Installer, and then click Start.
Windows 8
1. From the Start screen, type computer.
2. Right-click or swipe down on Computer, and then tap or click Manage.
3. In the console tree, tap or click Services and Applications, and then tap or click Services.
4. In the details pane, right-click or swipe down on Windows Installer, and then tap or click Start.


Solve the mystery of lost System
Restore points

Rick Broida@justrick
Sep 28, 2012 11:40 AM
print

Earlier this week I received a terrific letter from reader George, who was having a problem
with Windows' System Restore on his Dell Desktop.
Specifically, he noted that he was "losing" restore points, meaning they would disappear
after he'd created them.
Before I read any further, I immediately thought, "Ah, I know what's happening here." By
default (in Windows 7, anyway), Windows displays only a couple of the most recent restore
points. What's easy to overlook is the option down below: Show more restore points.
Check that box and presto: a whole big list of them.
But, no, George hadn't simply overlooked that toggle switch. His restore points were gone,
period, so he did the smart thing and visited various user forums in search of an answer. He
quickly learned he wasn't the only one vexed by this problem. I'll let him explain what
happened next. (I've edited portions of the letter for length and clarity.)
"On one of the forums, I just happened to notice that one of the responders asked if the
questioner had any third-party disk defragmenters installed. I have Diskeeper 10, and it's
set it to do automatic defragging, but that couldn't possibly be whats eating up my restore
points -- or could it?
"So, I disabled the automatic defragging feature in Diskeeper 10, set a few new restore
points, and waited. In a couple days, I was surprised that I had several restore points still
remaining in my System Restore Explorer. Today, with about eight restore points available,
I decided to do a manual disk defrag using Diskeeper 10. You guessed it! Diskeeper
deleted all of the restore points, or at least put them somewhere inaccessible to me."
That's some mighty impressive detective work, George -- couldn't have done it better
myself. But I was curious, so I did a little investigative work of my own.
Sure enough, there's a body of anecdotal evidence suggesting that third-party defrag
utilities can erase Windows System Restore saves. It appears to have something to do with
Windows' Volume Snapshot Service (VSS), and if your defragger has a VSS compatibility
mode (Diskeeper does), that might help to solve the problem.
Indeed, here's a snippet of related info from the Diskeeper 12 Professional product page:
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Compatibility Mode
Diskeeper offers a VSS compatibility mode. This option minimizes growth of the VSS
storage area caused by file movement, and it reduces the chances of older VSS and
snapshots being purged.
Hope that helps, George!
Windows 8 explorer.exe prob
To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.
Method 1
1. After you start the computer and receive the error message, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
2. Click Task Manager.
3. In Task Manager, click New Task.
4. Type control, and then press ENTER to start Control Panel.
5. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
6. In the list of currently installed programs, click CleanSweep, and then click Change/Remove.
7. Remove CleanSweep.
8. Restart the computer.
Method 2
1. Restart the computer. When you see the Boot menu, press the F8 key for options to start in Safe
mode.
2. Select the Safe Mode Command Prompt option.
3. After you log on, type appwiz.cpl, and then press ENTER to start the Add/Remove Programs
Wizard.
4. In the list of currently installed programs, click CleanSweep, and then click Change/Remove.
5. Remove the CleanSweep program.
6. Restart the computer.
Method 3
1. Restart the computer. When you see the Boot menu, press the F8 key for options to start in Safe
mode.
2. Select the Safe Mode Command Prompt option.
3. Change to the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder. Typically, this is the C:\WINNT\System32 folder.
4. Rename the Apitrap.dll file to Apitrap.old.
5. Restart the computer.
explorer.EXE error
Hello,

It is my first post in this forum! I'm very happy But I have a one problem
with my windows 8. When I turn on my pc, I get an error explorer.EXE
.

All is working, but every time I have to click OK.

And I didn't need to install drivers, all is working. Does I have to install them
or not?
Sorry for my English.
Advertisement
Ads by Google

Register for free to hide this ad!

Flash Data Recovery Tools
SD Flash doctor supports common flash chips(SD, SM, MMC,
XD,etc) www.salvationdata.com

kth
Member with 3 posts.
Join Date: Jan 2013
29-Jan-2013, 08:07 AM #2
Resolved
Hello
I had same issue
This is Rogue worm behaviour, download its killer
: http://download.cnet.com/RogueKiller...-75764640.html
Execute scan registry and delete bad entries !
Good luck

raybro (Ray)

Member with 5,631 posts.

Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Barbara, CA USofA
Experience: Advanced
30-Jan-2013, 11:41 PM #3
I strongly suggest you wait for one of the TSG experts to verify what kth
has suggested you do.

Any editing of the registry, no matter how you do it, may lead to real
problems.

davehc

Trusted Advisor with 1,368 posts.

Join Date: Oct 2006
Experience: Advanced
31-Jan-2013, 12:20 AM #4
I doubt it is a virus. More likely a glitch in the install and a corrupted file.
Open a command prompt (run as Administrator) and type sfc /scannow

It will run for quite a while but, hopefully, your installation will then be
cleaned up

kth
Member with 3 posts.
Join Date: Jan 2013
31-Jan-2013, 04:24 AM #5
A virus scan is never a bad thing, what if the tool really finds the worm ?
It's always better to remove it!

kth
Member with 3 posts.
Join Date: Jan 2013
31-Jan-2013, 07:41 AM #6
Let's check manually before doing anything:
Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
If you find a key named "load" with a value:
C:\Users\YOURNAME\Temp\xxxxxxxx.cmd, then it's a virus! I had exactly
same behaviour and sameExplorer.exe error like the posted picture without
additional information!